Wednesday's letters: Legislation in poor taste

Wednesday

Jan 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM

It amazes me that state Sen. Lee Bright continues to flaunt common sense and reflects no sense of genuine concern for the well-being of children.

It amazes me that state Sen. Lee Bright continues to flaunt common sense and reflects no sense of genuine concern for the well-being of children. Instead, he has decided to use the school curriculum as his agenda for promoting the sickest and most paradoxical mantra of all times: “Praise God and pass the ammunition.” (Bright has filed a bill to allow South Carolina schools to offer a class in firearms marksmanship as an elective.)Had a mother in Connecticut not encouraged her son’s marksmanship by taking him to the firing range, and had she the insight that perhaps inspiring him to share her enthusiasm for assault weapons was not exactly a maternal action, maybe the lives of 20 children and six educators would have been spared.While it is obvious that Bright’s proposal is simply another of his pathetic efforts to grab attention, the bill is in poor taste and adds another blight to the image of South Carolina.We know Mr. Bright’s district has been getting a steady diet of his nullification rhetoric, but perhaps it would be better served by considering an action more appropriate for the type of representation he is providing — impeachment.Steven G. SmithBoiling Springs

As a Southern woman, I have been taught the importance of writing “thank you” notes after receiving gifts. In keep with this tradition, I want to thank the anonymous benefactor who donated funds that helped the city of Spartanburg build our first ice skating rink. This has been a tremendous gift to all Spartanburg County residents.My family and I spent countless hours at the rink, which started with my daughter’s six weekly ice skating lessons every Saturday morning, continued through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays when I would escort my daughter and her friends to the rink instead of taking them to the mall or the movies, and ended at the close of the rink’s season with my daughter’s 10th birthday party (a photo of her and her friends was on the front page of the Upstate section the next day).When we went to the rink, we also ate out for lunch or dinner, always at downtown restaurants. I also contracted downtown establishments to cater my daughter’s party (coffee, muffins, hot chocolate, etc.). We met new friends who were visiting from out of state, and we also kept running into old friends. All of the workers were extremely helpful and kind to us each time we were there.So, dear benefactor, please accept this letter as a virtual kiss on the cheek and a warm hug, not just from me and my family but from all of Spartanburg.Angela M. JonesMoore